Apparatus for supporting an object at a controllable depth within a body of water

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for supporting an object at a controllable depth within a fluid features buoyant and ballast devices connected to a device for supporting the object. The opposing buoyant and gravitational forces acting on the support device cause it to maintain a generally constant orientation in the fluid and recover from deviations therefrom. The buoyant device has a variable buoyancy that can be controlled in order to control the depth at which the object is supported. A control device allows the user to raise, lower or maintain the vertical position of the object within the fluid.

This invention relates to an apparatus for supporting an object within afluid, and more specifically an apparatus for supporting an object at acontrollable depth in a fluid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In some fields it is necessary to support an object within a fluid in agenerally stationary position for a period of time. For example,submersible pumps are often used for supplying lake water to cottages asan alternative to drilling a well. A pump is disposed in the lake at asufficient depth to ensure that the pump will remain submersed and thusable to pump water from the lake to shore through a tubular passage. Thepump is supported on the lake floor in an upright position so as to takein water at an inlet spaced upward from a bottom end of the pump.

It is known to provide a base of significant weight on which a pump issupported in an upright manner in order to prevent tipping over of thepump. Should the pump tip over, the inlet may become at least partiallyblocked. While a weighted base may improve stability, it may not beenough to prevent tipping of the pump if exposed to a significant amountof force. In addition, removal of the pump from the lake for service,replacement or other purpose can be difficult and time consuming.

As a result, there is a demand for a product that is capable ofmaintaining a predetermined orientation of an object disposed within afluid and simplifying the removal of the object from the fluid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided anapparatus for supporting an object at a controllable depth within a bodyof water, said apparatus comprising:

a buoyant device having variable buoyancy with respect to the water;

a control device connected to the buoyant device and arranged to controlthe buoyancy thereof;

a ballast device having a density greater than the water; and

a support device connected to the buoyant and ballast devices andarranged to support the object.

The buoyant device and ballast device exert forces on the support devicein opposite directions, thereby tending to support the object in apredetermined orientation. By controlling the buoyancy of the buoyantdevice, the control device allows a user to control the depth at whichthe object is supported. The object can be caused to float upward, sinkdownward or maintain a generally constant vertical position within thebody of water.

The apparatus may be provided in combination with the object, whereinthe object comprises a submersible pump for pumping water out of thebody of water. In this case, the submersible pump is preferably operablyconnected to a power source located outside the body of water.

Used with a submersible pump, the apparatus prevents tipping of the pumpfrom an upright orientation. The pump is sunk to a depth such that theballast device rests on the lake floor and the buoyant device pullsupward on the support device such that the pump remains generallyvertical. If subjected to forces that disrupt this orientation, thefloating tendency of the buoyant member will return the pump to itsoriginal position. The pump can be easily removed from the water byincreasing the buoyancy until it floats up to the surface of the lake.

Preferably the buoyant device comprises an expandable buoyant member anda fixed protective housing, the buoyant member providing the variablebuoyancy of said buoyant device and being contained within theprotective housing.

Preferably the protective housing has at least one opening thereinthrough which water can pass into and out of said housing.

Preferably the at least one opening in the protective housing is coveredwith at least one screen to prevent entry of objects larger than holesin said at least one screen into said housing.

Preferably the protective housing is openable for access to the buoyantmember contained therein.

Preferably the ballast device comprises a container to and from whichmaterial can be added and removed respectively to vary the density ofthe ballast device.

Preferably the support device comprises an enclosure member within whichthe object can be contained.

The enclosure member may have at least one opening therein through whichwater can pass into and out of said housing. In this case, preferablythe at least one opening in the enclosure member is covered with atleast one screen to prevent entry of objects larger than holes in saidat least one screen into said housing.

Preferably the support device comprises an enclosure member within whichthe object can be contained, said enclosure member being openable foraccess to the object.

Preferably the buoyant device comprises an inflatable member and thecontrol device comprises a mechanism for transferring gas to and fromsaid inflatable member.

Preferably the control device further comprises a pressure gaugeoperably connected to the inflatable member for measuring gas pressuretherein.

Preferably the control device further comprises a release valve operablyconnected to the inflatable member for releasing gas therefrom.

Preferably the control device further comprises a shut-off valveoperably connected between the mechanism and the inflatable member forselectively blocking the transfer of gas.

Preferably the mechanism comprises an air pump.

Preferably an auxiliary valve is connected to the inflatable member forselectively providing an additional passageway through which gas canexit said inflatable member.

Preferably at least a portion of the control device is housed within anopenable casing for protection.

Preferably the openable casing is lockable to prevent unauthorizedaccess to the any portion of the control device housed therein.

Preferably the control device is remotely positioned with respect to thebuoyant device, the ballast device and the support device for operationof said control device from outside the body of water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an apparatus for supporting an objectat a controllable depth within a body of water.

FIG. 2 is a close up elevational view of a first embodiment of thebuoyant device of the apparatus FIG. 1 in which a lid of the buoyantdevice is in a partially removed condition.

FIG. 3 is a close up elevational view of a first embodiment of thesupport device of the apparatus according to FIG. 1 with a cap thereofin an engaged condition.

FIG. 4 is a close up elevational view of a first embodiment of theballast device of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with a lid thereof in apartially removed condition.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a first embodiment of the control device of theapparatus of FIG. 1 with a protective casing thereof in an opencondition to show contents thereof.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a second embodiment of the buoyantdevice, the support device and the ballast device of the apparatus ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the control deviceof the apparatus of FIG. 1.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 10 featuring a buoyant device 12, a supportdevice 14 and a ballast device 16 disposed within a body of water 2 anda control device 18 disposed on shore. The support device 14 is used tosupport an object within the body of water 2 and is connected to each ofthe buoyant and ballast devices 12 and 16. The ballast device 16 has adensity greater than the water and thus tends to pull the support device14 to the water body floor 6. The buoyant device 12 has variablebuoyancy that can be adjusted to control an upward force tending to pullthe support device 14 to the top surface 8 of the water body 2. Theopposing forces acting on the support device act to maintain apredetermined orientation thereof. The control device 18 is operativelyconnected to the buoyant device in order to control the buoyancythereof, and thus also control the depth at which the support device,and any object connected thereto, is disposed within the body of water.The exemplary embodiments shown in the figures are used to support asubmersible pump in a lake for pumping lake water to the shore for useon land.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the buoyant device 12 features anexpandable buoyant member 20 supported within a fixed protective housing22. The buoyant member 20 is an inflatable rubber bladder to and fromwhich air can be pumped and drawn respectively through air line 24 inorder to control the buoyancy of the buoyant device 12. The air line 24passes through a wall of the protective housing 22 in order to connectto the control device 18 remotely disposed with respect to the buoyantdevice 12. The air line can be made of nylon tubing or other conduitknown to those of skill in the art capable of preventing communicationbetween air flowing through it and the surrounding water.

The protective housing 22 is openable by means of a removable lid 26having a threaded base 28 for engaging a respective threaded portion ofthe housing 22. An transverse through hole 29 is provided in the lid 26in order to define a handle for gripping of the lid in order to lift,lower, rotate and otherwise maneuver it. When engaged to one another,the lid 26 and the housing 22 define a substantially enclosed space inwhich the buoyant member 20 is protected from damage that could possiblylead to leakage. An auxiliary valve 30 is supported on the housing 22and connected to the buoyant member 20 by a shorter air line 32 in orderto provide a passageway for air in close proximity to the buoyantmember. A T-connector 34 allows connection of each air line to thebuoyant member 20 at a single location, thereby reducing the points atwhich air leakage may develop. Openings 36 are provided in the housingso that water can flow in and out to fill the variable amount of spacedefined between the housing 22 and the inflatable buoyant member 20 asit is inflated and deflated. The openings 36 may be screened off toprevent the entry of objects, debris or life forms larger than theopenings of a suitable screening material that may damage the expandablebuoyant member 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, the support device includes an enclosure member 40having a removable cap 42. The enclosure member 40 is sized to receive asubmersible pump therein. An outlet coupling 46 passes through anopening provided in the cap 42 to operably connect an outlet of thesubmersible pump 44 contained within the enclosure 40 to a T-joint 50disposed thereabove. The outlet coupling 46 is attached to the cap 42 soas to also support and locate the pump 44 within the enclosure member 40when the cap is removably engaged thereon. At an end 52 opposite theoutlet coupling 46, the T-joint 50 is attached to a support coupling 54which connects to the housing 22 of the buoyant device 12. The end 52 ofthe outlet coupling 46 is closed, so that water pumped from the outlet48 of the pump 44 does not flow upward through the support coupling 54toward the buoyant device 12. A outlet portion 56 of the T-joint is openand communicates with water line 57 that runs through the body of waterto the shore such that water supplied from the outlet of the pump 44will flow through the line 57 for use on land. A power supply opening 58is provided in the enclosure through which power line 59 passes tooperably connect the pump 44 to a remotely disposed power source onland.

Openings 60 and 62 are provided near the center and bottom of theenclosure member 40 respectively in order to allow the entry of watertherein to supply the pump 44. The upper openings 60 are located aheight generally equal to an inlet 64 of the pump 44 and are screenedoff in order to prevent entry of objects or life forms that may damagethe pump should they reach the inlet 64. Lower openings 62 arecircumferentially disposed about the enclosure member 40 and covered bya single cylindrical screen 66 to further protect the pump 44. Aneyebolt 68 is provided at the bottom of the enclosure member 40 tofacilitate connection thereof to the ballast member 16.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ballast device 16 features a container 70 havingthe same form as the protective housing 22 of the buoyant device inorder to save on manufacturing costs. Just like the housing, thecontainer 70 features a removable lid 72 having a threaded portion 74for engaging a mating portion of the container 70 and a transversethrough hole 76 defining a handle in the lid. An access portion 78 of awall of the container 70 is pivotally mounted by a hinge 80 for movementbetween open and closed positions in which access to the interior of thecontainer is allowed and blocked respectively. Latches 82 are providedto selectively secure the door-like access portion 78 in the closedposition. Material having a greater density than water is added to thecontainer to act as ballast for weighing down the support device 14. Assuch, the weight and density of the container can be controlled by thetype and amount of material contained therein. The access portion 78allows material to be added or removed without having to remove the lid72. An eyebolt 84 is provided atop the lid 72 to facilitate connectionto that of the support device 14 by means of a flexible connectionmember 86, such as but not limited to a cable or chain. The flexibilityof the connection member 86 ensures that the support and buoyant deviceswill return to their original positions axially aligned with the ballastdevice. If the connection was rigid and the devices were tipped to theextent that the ballast reached the water body floor 6, the buoyancy ofthe buoyant device may not be strong enough to return the support deviceto an upright orientation. Openings 88 allow water to flow into and outof the container 70 so that space therein not having ballast materialmay be filled and drained of water.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 18 of the apparatus is connectedto an end of the air line 24 opposite the buoyant device 12. A supplymechanism 90 for transferring gas to the inflatable buoyant member 20 isprovided in the form of a conventional hand operated air pump. Betweenthe source mechanism 90 and the air line 24 are connected a series ofdevices for controlling the flow of air between the mechanism and thebuoyant member 20. A shut-off valve 92 allows the passage of air betweenthe mechanism 90 and air line 24 to be selectively blocked to maintainair pressure in the air line 24 and buoyant member 20. A release valve94 allows air in the line 24 and buoyant member 20 to be drained outinto the surrounding environment. A pressure gauge 96 measures the airpressure in the line 24 and buoyant member 20 to provide a precise levelof control over the buoyancy of the buoyant member 20. The air line 24is attached to the gauge 96 by a fitting 98 and the release valve 94 isconnected between the gauge and shut-off valve 92 by couplings 100. Asource line 102 connects the supply mechanism 90 to the shut-off valve92.

A casing 104 of the control device 18 features mating top and bottomhalves 106 and 108 pivotally connected along adjacent sides thereof formotion between closed and open conditions. In the closed condition, thehalves define an enclosed space in which the mechanism, valves and gaugeare contained. In the open condition, these components are accessible toa user. Mounting elements 110 support the valves and gauge in aninterior of the bottom half 108 of the casing. A releasable mountingelement 112 removably supports the gas transfer mechanism 90 on the tophalf 106 of the casing to provide room for its operation with the casing104 in the open condition. Releasable latches 114 are provided to securethe casing 104 in the closed condition in which the two halves mate toform a water tight seal in order to protect the components inside fromwater damage. The air line 24 passes through the bottom half 108 of thecasing in a sealed manner for connection to the gauge 96 such that watercannot enter around the tubular line. The latches 114 are of aconventional locking type such that the casing 104 can be locked in theclosed condition such that a user can prevent access to the componentswithin by others.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a second embodiment of each of the buoyantdevice 12, the support device 14 and the ballast device 16 areillustrated. In this instance the buoyant device comprises a similarprotective housing 22 which is rigid in construction having acylindrical side wall and an integral bottom enclosing a bottom end ofthe cylindrical side wall. An opening is formed through the top endwhich receives the bladder 20 therethrough. As in the previousembodiment the buoyant member 20 comprises an inflatable rubber bladderreceiving air through the air line 24 or alternatively through theauxiliary valve 30 as described above.

A lid 26 is again provided for enclosing the open top end of the housing22 however in this instance the lid fully spans the open top end andincludes a peripheral flange which overlaps a rim of the housing aboutthe open top end. A shaft 200 is mounted centrally on the base of thehousing for connection to the support coupling 54 of the support device14. The shaft 200 extends upwardly through a center of the housing 22beyond the open top end for being received through a central opening inthe lid 26.

A retainer pin 202 is selectively received through cooperating aperturesat the top end of the shaft 20 directly above the lid 26 in the closedposition of the lid to prevent sliding removal of the lid off of theshaft 200 as the pin 202 is larger in a diametrical direction than theshaft and the corresponding opening in the lid 26 receiving the shaft200 therethrough.

The openings 36 in this instance are provided both in the base of thehousing 22 at the bottom end and in the lid 26, spaced circumferentiallyabout the shaft 200.

According to the second embodiment of the support device 14, as shown inFIG. 6, the support device comprises a similar enclosure member 40 inthe form of an elongate tubular housing extending in a longitudinaldirection between the buoyant device 12 thereabove and the ballastdevice 16 therebelow. A bottom cap 204 is either glued across the openbottom end or is integrally formed thereon so that the bottom end of thetubular housing forming the enclosure member 40 is enclosed.

A removable cap 42 is again provided at the open top end to provideaccess to the hollow interior of the enclosure member 40 which receivesthe submersible pump 44 therein similarly to the previous embodiment.Central openings 60 are again provided at circumferentially spacedpositions at a mid-length along the housing between the top and bottomends for alignment with a respective inlet 64 of the inline pump whichis arranged to be aligned With the openings 60. Screens 66 spanning theopenings 60 therefore prevent debris from entering the inlet of thepump.

An outlet coupling 46 of the pump is again communicated through theremovable cap 42 for connection to a T-connector 50 which directs theoutlet flow from the pump to the water line 57 as described in theprevious embodiment. The removable cap 42 in this instance similarlyspans the open top end of the housing and includes a peripheral flangewhich is arranged to overlap the peripheral rim about the open top endof the enclosure member 40. Retainer pins 206 are selectively receivedthrough cooperating apertures in the cap 42 and the enclosure member 40to selectively retain the cap enclosed over the top end of the housingforming the retainer member such that the retainer member fullysurrounds and encloses the pump contained therein when the lid isclosed.

Auxiliary openings 62 are provided both in the bottom cap 204 and theremovable cap 42 to ensure adequate flow of the water from thesurrounding body of water into the submersible pump in use. Screens areagain provided which span each of the openings in the support device 14.The support device 14 also includes an eye bolt 68 fastened centrally inthe bottom cap 204 for connection of the connection member 86 betweenthe support device 14 and the ballast device 16 as in the previousembodiment.

According to the second embodiment the ballast device comprises acontainer 70 of similar form to the second embodiment of the protectivehousing 22 of the buoyant device 12. The container 70 includes rigidcylindrical side walls enclosed at a bottom end by an integral base likethe housing 22. An open top end of the container 70 is also selectivelyenclosed by a lid 72 having a peripheral flange which overlaps theperipheral rim about the open top end of the container 70 when the lidis closed to span the opening. The opening permits access to fill thecontainer 70 with ballast material in use. Alternatively ballastmaterial may also be introduced through an access panel 78 which isformed in the cylindrical side wall similarly to the previousembodiment.

The container 70 also includes a central shaft 208 which is anchored tothe base of the container centrally thereon for extending upwardlythrough the open top end of the container. A cooperating aperturelocated centrally in the lid 72 receives the top end of the shafttherein. Openings 88 are again provided in the lid to permit free flowof water into and out of the container 70. When the lid is mountedacross the open top end of the container 70 with the shaft 208 receivedtherethrough, a suitable retainer pin 210 extends through cooperatingapertures in the shaft 208 immediately above the lid 72 so that the lidis effectively retained by the pin in the closed position when the pinis engaged.

When the flexible connecting member 86 comprises a chain anchored to theeyebolt 68 on the bottom of the support device, the retainer pin 210 mayalso extend through one of the links of the chain to selectively couplethe support device 14 to the ballast device 16. In this arrangement thelength of the connecting member 86 between the support device and theballast member 16 can be adjusted by selecting which link of chain theretainer pin 210 communicates through. This permits depth of the pumpcontainer within the support device 14 to be adjusted relative to theballast device 16 to be supported at the bottom of a body of water. Inthis arrangement the support device 14 can also be readily separatedfrom the ballast device by simply removing the retainer pin 210.

Turning now to FIG. 7, a second embodiment of the control device 18 isillustrated in which the control device is again connected to an end ofthe air line 24 opposite the buoyant device 12. The supply mechanism 90which is provided may again comprise a manually operated pump oralternatively any type of self powered pump suitable for producing aflow of pressurized air.

The shutoff valve 92 and the release valve 94 in this embodiment areconnected in series between the buoyant device 12 and the source orsupply mechanism 90. Accordingly both valves 92 and 94 must be open inorder to pump air from the supply mechanism to the buoyant device 12.Turning off the valve 92 maintains pressure in the air line 24 so thatsubsequent opening of the release valve 94 only allows draining ofpressure from the pressure gauge 96. The pressure gauge 96 is coupled inseries between the shutoff valve 92 and the release valve 94 by thefitting 98.

Alternatively when the release valve 94 is closed and the shutoff valve92 is open, the gauge 96 communicates with the air line 24 so that thegauge indicates the pressure in the air line 24. Opening the releasevalve 94 in this instance permits air to be released from the air line24 while monitoring the pressure thereof with the gauge 96. Releasingair effectively decreases buoyancy of the buoyant device to permit theapparatus to be sunk to the bottom of the body of water. Opening bothvalves 92 and 94 and operating the supply mechanism, causes air to bereintroduced into the bladder of the buoyant device to increase buoyancyand permit the apparatus to be floated towards the surface of the bodyof water. The source line 102 in this instance couples the release valveto the supply mechanism 90.

The casing 104 comprises a main housing receiving the valves 92 and 94therein along with the fitting 98, however the supply mechanism 90 ismounted externally from the casing and communicates through the sidewall of the casing 104. The pressure gauge 96 is also located externallyof the casing 104 and communicates through a fitting in the side wall.The air line 24 communicates through a respective port in the side wallof the casing 104.

An opening is provided in the top side of the casing through which allof the components in the hollow interior can be accessed. A lid (notshown) is provided for selectively locking and enclosing the componentswithin the hollow interior of the casing. Latches 114, in the form oflateral protrusions with cooperating apertures formed therein, areprovided on both the main portion of the casing 104 and the lid thereoffor mating alignment with one another when the lid encloses the openingin the casing. A suitable locking member can be inserted through thecooperating apertures to restrict access to the hollow interior of thecasing by unauthorized persons.

Accordingly both embodiments of the buoyant device 12, the supportdevice 14, the ballast device 16 and the controlled device 18 aresimilar to one another in their function and operation. In each instancea submersible pump is supported within the support device 14 in anupright orientation by connecting the ballast device and buoyant deviceto opposite ends of the elongate support device. The support devicefully surrounds and contains the pump and serves to orient the pump toextend in the longitudinal direction between opposed ends of the supportdevice coupled to the buoyant device and ballast device respectively.

When supported on shore, the control device is preferably arranged toactuate variation of buoyancy of the buoyancy device from a position onshore which is remote with respect to the buoyant device, the ballastdevice and the support device supported in the body of water. Buoyancyof the buoyant device 12 may also be controlled in proximity to thedevice by using the auxiliary valve 30 located adjacent the lid at thetop end of the buoyant device 12. This may be desirable when performingmaintenance to the pump within the support device 14 by floating thebuoyant device 12 up to the surface of the body of water but withoutreturning the mechanism to shore. In either embodiment, the pumpcommunicates at its outlet line through the outlet opening formed in thecap 42 while one or more inlet openings 60 and 62 are provided forcommunication with the inlet of the pump.

The use of the apparatus, in the exemplary context of supporting asubmersible pump near the bottom of a body of water for the purpose ofpumping some of the water to shore, will now be explained. The pump 44is installed on the cap 42 of the enclosure member 40 by operablyconnecting the output coupling 46 mounted on the cap to the outlet 48 ofthe pump 44. The power line 59 is passed through the power supplyopening 58 and operably connected to the pump 44 in order to latersupply power thereto. The cap 42 is then removably engaged to theenclosure member 40 such that the pump is protectively supportedtherein. Water line 57 is connected to the outlet portion 56 of theT-joint for later receiving water from the pump 44 once activated. Theinflatable buoyant member 20 is connected to air line 24 and auxiliaryvalve 30 and placed within the protective housing 22. The lid 26 isremovably engaged to the housing 22 to enclose the buoyant membertherein. The container 70 is at least partially filled with ballastmaterial to provide a density greater than that of the body of water andthen closed by removable lid 72 and openable access portion 78.

With ends of the lines somehow anchored on shore, the buoyant, supportand ballast devices are taken out on the water in a boat a desireddistance from shore. The buoyant member 20 is inflated by means of theauxiliary valve 30 and the buoyant device 12 is connected to the supportdevice 14 by means of attaching the support coupling 54 between theprotective housing 22 and the T-joint 50. Once these components areconnected, the buoyancy of the buoyant member can be tested and adjustedto ensure that it can overcome any sinking tendency of the enclosuremember 40 and pump 44 contained therein. The ballast and support devicesare then connected by means of connection member 86. The devices are allthen lowered into the body of water. Should the devices tend to float,the buoyancy of the buoyant member 20 may be decreased by means ofdeflating through the auxiliary valve 30 until the components beginsinking.

Once the ballast device 16 reaches the floor of the body of water, thebuoyancy of the buoyant device 12 will pull upward on the support deviceto maintain it in an upright orientation as shown in FIG. 1. Thisarrangement avoids contact between the pump supporting device 14 and thewater body floor, whereas tipping over of a pump may occur with the useof a weighted base alone, causing material from the floor to blockintake to the pump. With the underwater devices in place, the installercan return to shore and connect the air line 24 to the control device 18to allow control of the buoyancy from shore. The water line 57 isconnected to a suitable destination to which water is to be supplied.Finally, the power line 59 can be connected to an appropriate powersource to activate the pump 44 and start the flow of water to land.Portions of the air, water and power lines may be bound together, solong as the air and water lines are not overly compressed so as to blockor restrict flow therethrough, so that they may lie along a single pathbetween the underwater devices and the shore.

Should maintenance or removal of the underwater devices becomenecessary, the buoyancy of the buoyant member 20 can be increasedthrough the control device by pumping in additional air through themechanism 90 and then closing the shut-off valve 92 to keep the air inthe air line 24 and buoyant member 20. Once sufficient buoyancy isreached to overcome weight of the underwater components, the deviceswill float to the water body's surface for easy removal. The devices caneven be removed in winter conditions. The control device 18 can be usedto float the underwater devices up toward a frozen surface of the waterbody. The devices can then be detected under the ice so that a hole cancut therethrough for access to the devices. For example, including metalcomponents on the devices would allow detection beneath the ice by meansof a metal detector.

It should be appreciated that the apparatus may be employed through analternative installation process having a different steps and/or orderthereof. The buoyant member can be inflated or deflated through eitherof the control device 18 or the auxiliary valve 30. The control device18 may be taken out on the boat for use during installation. In such acase, the lines would be laid in the body of water during the return toshore. The order of the steps in which the underwater devices are filledand connected can also be varied. It should be appreciated that theoverall result is an apparatus that prevents tipping of the pump 44 andresulting detrimental effects to its performance and provides easyrecovery of the pump 44 from the water body floor through means of an onshore control device.

In the case of supporting a submersible pump, for example for providingwater from a lake to a cottage for use therein, the pump is typicallydisposed approximately 50 feet from the shore or at a distance where thelake is approximately 10 feet deep. This provides adequate depth toprevent ice from forming about the underwater devices in winter, forexample 6 feet of water disposed below 4 feet of ice. The lines must beof sufficient length to reach desired destinations on land from thepoint at which the underwater devices are disposed. For example, in thecase where the pump is disposed 50 feet from shore, it may be desirableto provide up to 100 feet of air line for connection of the control andbuoyant devices. Any one of the lines may or may not be provided withthe other components of the invention. For example, the presentinvention may be sold as a product for use with submersible pumpsalready in use. In such a case, the buyer would likely already have apower and water line that could be used in combination with the product.

It should be appreciated that the apparatus of the present invention maybe used or adapted for supporting objects other than submersible pumpswithin a fluid. Furthermore, the apparatus may be used to at depthsother than at the bottom of a fluid body. Balancing buoyant andgravitational forces allows the depth at which the object is supportedto be maintained. The controllable variable buoyancy provides controlover the depth at which the object is supported by allowing upward anddownward movement.

Adaptations to the present invention may be readily applied by those ofskill in the art. The hand operated air pump of the control device canbe replaced with alternative mechanisms for controlling air distributionand pressure. For example, the control device may be adapted forconnection to a conventional powered air compressor or may feature aclosed system in which the distribution of a fixed mass of air betweenthe buoyant member and an alternate mechanism can be controlled. Theconnection member 86 for connecting the support and ballast members mayadjustable in length to control the spaced relationship of the two andmay feature quick release mechanisms for easy detachment from eachdevice. It should be appreciated that while shown and described as usingrigid couplings to connect the support and buoyant devices, these twocomponents may be connected by a flexible either separate from orconnected to the outlet coupling from the pump. In the detailedembodiment, the housing 22, enclosure member 40, container 70 and casing104 for protecting their respective contents are made a plastic materialin order to resist water damage. It should be appreciated that variousspecific materials known to those of skill in the art may be applied tothe present invention.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein abovedescribed, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same madewithin the spirit and scope of the claims without department from suchspirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in theaccompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only andnot in a limiting sense.

1. An apparatus for supporting an object at a controllable depth withina body of water, said apparatus comprising: a buoyant device havingvariable buoyancy with respect to the water; a control device connectedto the buoyant device and arranged to control the buoyancy thereof; aballast device having a density greater than the water; and a supportdevice connected to the buoyant and ballast devices and arranged tosupport the object.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 in combinationwith the object wherein the object comprises a submersible pump forpumping water out of the body of water.
 3. The apparatus according toclaim 2 wherein is the submersible pump is operably connected to a powersource located outside the body of water.
 4. The apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the buoyant device comprises an expandable buoyantmember and a rigid protective housing, the buoyant member providing thevariable buoyancy of said buoyant device and being contained within theprotective housing.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein theprotective housing has at least one opening therein through which watercan pass into and out of said housing.
 6. The apparatus according toclaim 5 wherein said at least one opening in the protective housing iscovered with a screen.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein theprotective housing has an opening through which the buoyant member isaccessible and a lid arranged to selectively close the opening.
 8. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the ballast device comprises acontainer to and from which material can be added and removedrespectively to vary the density of the ballast device.
 9. The apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the support device comprises an enclosuremember which is arranged to surround and contain the object.
 10. Theapparatus according to claim 9 wherein the enclosure member has at leastone opening therein through which water can pass into and out of saidhousing.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the enclosuremember is arranged to receive a pump therein and wherein said at leastone opening in the enclosure member comprises an outlet opening arrangedto receive an outlet line of the pump therethrough and an inlet openingarranged to communicate with an inlet of the pump, the inlet openingbeing covered with a screen.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the buoyant device comprises an inflatable member and thecontrol device comprises a mechanism for transferring gas to and fromsaid inflatable member.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 12 whereinthe control device further comprises a pressure gauge operably connectedto the inflatable member for measuring gas pressure therein.
 14. Theapparatus according to claim 12 wherein the control device furthercomprises a release valve operably connected to the inflatable memberfor releasing gas therefrom.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 12wherein the control device further comprises a shut-off valve operablyconnected between the mechanism and the inflatable member forselectively blocking the transfer of gas.
 16. The apparatus according toclaim 12 wherein an auxiliary valve is connected to the inflatablemember adjacent the buoyant device, the auxiliary valve being arrangedto selectively provide an additional passageway through which gas canexit said inflatable member.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein there is provided a control device arranged to actuate variationof buoyancy of the buoyancy device, the control device being remotelypositioned on shore with respect to the buoyant device, the ballastdevice and the support device supported in the body of water foroperation of said control device from outside the body of water.
 18. Theapparatus according to claim 17 wherein at least a portion of thecontrol device is housed within a lockable casing arranged to preventunauthorized access to said at least a portion of the control device.19. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the ballast device andthe buoyant device are connected to opposing ends of the support device.20. The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein there is provided aconnecting member coupling the ballast device to the support device, theconnecting member being adjustable in length such that the connectingmember is arranged to couple the ballast device to the support device atan adjustable relative spacing.